Safe With You | Yoonmin

Chapter 6: Min Yoongi

| Jimin |

WHEN HYUN-JOO SHOOK HIM AWAKE the next morning, Jimin was rather embarrassed to find himself curled up beside the alpha, still hand in hand. Hyun-Joo raised his eyebrows but thankfully made no comment, only ordering him to get up and eat. The healer had already gone to the kitchen, bringing back enough tea and food for both of them.

Jimin ate his porridge in silence while Hyun-Joo check over each bandage, tensing when the beta reached the infected wound on the alpha's thigh.

Hyun-Joo frowned at the wound for a few moments, then met Jimin's anxious gaze. "He is still feverish, but the infection is receding. I think your presence has helped a great deal, omega. Thank you."

For the very first time, the healer offered him a smile and Jimin ducked his head in relief. The day before, the omega had found plenty of time to imagine what judgment might fall on him if the Min alpha died. But if the alpha lived, maybe it would curb the pack's resentment toward him.

He could only hope.

As soon as Jimin finished his morning meal, Hyun-Joo sent him outside for more snow, bowl in hand.

It was snowing again. When Jimin stepped out into the courtyard he found that fresh snow covered the stone pathways had been cleared yesterday. And now, off to the sides, the piled up snow drifts reached almost to his waist in some places.

"Well, at least we won't be running out," Jimin mumbled to himself as he scooped up a bowlful.

"Jimin!" the shout caught him by surprise, and he almost dropped the bowl.

It was Taehyung, bundled heavily in furs, hopping restlessly from one foot to the other just beyond the barred palace gate. The two alphas standing guard, who were obviously annoyed, appeared even more so when they saw Jimin approaching.

"Tae? What are you doing here?" He called happily.

"I've come here every morning to ask after you, but I'm not allowed in," the beta explained with a glare toward the guards, "How is it that you're outside? Will you be in trouble? I heard the Min alpha is here. What if he--"

"I'm fine, Tae," Jimin assured, reaching through the gate to hold his friend's hands.

"You're sure?" Taehyung asked, glancing nervously at the two alphas before adding, "It's been five days, Jimin. Have you... you've been safe?"

Jimin knew his friend was asking about Sejin, and he nodded quickly.

"Yes, I promise," he answered quickly, hoping his nerves didn't show, "But how have you been? How is Hobi?"

"I've been well. I'm staying with Hobi and his parents now, helping them look after Jungkook."

"Jungkook?" Jimin asked in surprise, "Has something happened to him?" His brow furrowed in concern for the shy young warrior.

Taehyung explained that the Jungkook had been one of the three wolves sent to scout out the Min Village. They had traveled as quickly as their wolf forms would allow in the snow, and had returned early yesterday morning, worn out, hungry, and haunted by what they had seen. Hobi had immediately begun fussing and cooking for his young cousin, with Taehyung as his shadow.

At the same time, with the destruction of the Min village and convoy confirmed, Alpha Ryu had given the order to start rationing in preparation for winter. And while Taehyung didn't dare say it in front of the guards, Jimin sensed that a certain level of ... dissatisfaction was being directed toward the palace in these times.

"But Jimin," Taehyung interjected, changing the topic, "It's been five days since I saw you. What has happened here? What about the Min wolf?"

"I never left my room until yesterday when -- you'll be so surprised hyung -- Alpha ordered me to work under Ryu Hyun-Joo. He is the healer helping the Min alpha."